T5 or T8

[Perryuk]

K can anyone enlighten me what the difference is between I know the t5 is a smaller diameter lamp , is there more ?

 

[mfdrookie516]

More efficient at making light, so it puts out more than a T8 of equal length. What is the purpose of your question exactly? Are you looking to possibly upgrade from a T8 fixture to a T5 or T5HO? Fresh or salt? Planted or reef? Lots of ways this conversation could turn depending on your purpose for asking.

 

[Perryuk]

Thanks am buying first tank after over 10 years out of hobby an am deciding between 2 units one with the t5 an one t8. Struggling so much as to type of tank its gonna be either african or american cichlids properly so no plant lighting needed really sorry to be unclear but this is a work in progress

 

[mfdrookie516]

NO worries... just curious as it doesn't make much sense to type out a big long paragraph about the differences for planted tanks if you're doing a reef... you get the point.

For fish only, stick with the T8's. T5 and T5HO is uneccessary in a fish only system and will only help make algae present... at least IMHO.

 

[Perryuk]

Thanks

 

[BillD]

While T5s are slightly more efficient, in lumens per watt they have about the same light output as a similar T8, so, you need to factor in the tube cost and availability. Decent quality T8s are around $4 for four foot fixtures, and readily available in various colour temps. Here's a link that shows some comparison charts What T5 lamps are available? | T5 Fluorescent Systems | Lighting Answers | NLPIP .